What it is: Off Road Algebra is a series of video resources focused on pre-algebra and algebra for ninth grade. This Hot Chalk unit centers around off-road motorcycle racing. There are 30 related problems for off-road algebra, each with an accompanying digital resources.
Problem 1: Conversion between gallons and liters
Problem 2: Miles per gallon
Problem 3: Gallons per mile
Problem 4: Velocity x time = distance, Part 1
Problem 5: Velocity x time = distance Part 2
Problem 6 (not available)
Problem 7: Comparing decibels
Problem 8: (not available)
Problem 9: Slopes and Ramps, Part 1
Problem 10: Slopes and Ramps, Part 2
Problem 11: Playing catch up, Part 1
Problem 12: Playing catch up, Part 2
Problem 13: GPS Axis
Problem 14: GPS conversion
Problem 15: GPS distance
Problem 16: Mixing Gas and Oil
Problem 17: Margin of Victory
Problem 18: Lap Time Math
Problem 19: Trac Turn Angles
Problem 20: Number of Revolutions
Problem 21: Inside and Outside a Wheel
Problem 22: Choosing between mean and median
Problem 23: Cylinder Volume
Problem 24: Comparing the Volume
Problem 25: Graphing the Ride
Problem 26: Acceleration, Part 1
Problem 27: Acceleration, Part 2
Problem 28: Acceleration, Part 3
Problem 29: Calculating with the contact patch
Problem 30: Tire Aspect Ratio
How to integrate Off-Road Algebra into the classroom: If you have spent any time in a math classroom, I’m sure you have heard something to the effect of, “why would we ever need this in real life?”. It is a good question. Learning should look like life…after all, isn’t that the point? Off-Road Algebra helps students understand how the concepts they are learning in algebra are related to life through the world of off-road motorcycles. Math is more than just filling in the correct answer on a test. Math is everywhere and we need to help students see that.
These videos walk students through off-road motorcycling problems so that they can make the connections between the classroom and life beyond the classroom. There is a printable PDF that you can download that has thorough explanations and answers for all 30 problems. You can also find a correlation between the math problems and standards.
Use these videos with your whole class using a projector-connected computer or interactive whiteboard. Video is ideal for math because it gives students the ability to pause, rewind and replay as needed. Using an IWB with built-in IWB software, students can annotate over the desktop to solve equations as the video plays.
The videos are a great alternative to the standard math textbook, offering video explanations of how to solve a variety of problems. Students can use these to support work in the classroom or at home. The videos could make a quick-stop center activity in the one or two computer classroom.
Tips: Be sure to check out Hot Chalks other real-world math problems.
Please leave a comment and share how you are using Off Road Algebra in your classroom!
Identifying real world applications in a math classroom is extremely useful in helping student learning. When the application is interesting to students, it can be even more impacting. Off-road motorcycle racing will be particularly interesting for many students, especially boys. I am looking forward to looking more closely at the other topics in Hot Chalks and hope that there will be other real world math topics that will be of interest to students that may not be interested in Off-road motorcycle racing.